Device for cooling bottled liquids

ABSTRACT

A portable device for cooling bottled liquids, such as wine, including a thermally insulated container and a coil of tubing positioned therein within which a liquid-containing bottle is adapted to be placed. The surface of the tubing facing inwardly of the coil has a plurality of perforations therein so that a gaseous refrigerant introduced into the tubing will flow out of the perforations and radially inwardly of the coil against a bottle disposed within the coil.

- 1 United States Patent 2] Inventor DonaldJ-Rwlonski 3,092,974 6/1963Haumann....1....., 62/64 803005- y 130, Pennwuken. J- 3.287.925 11/1966Kane... H 62 64 08110 FOREIGN PATENTS 4 No 1969 520,156 2/1921 France .162/514 [45] Paemed July 27,!971 590,541 1/1934 Germany 62/373 PrimaryExaminer-William .I. Wye: Attorney-Birch, Swindler, McKie & Beckett [54]DEVICE FOR COOLING BO'l'lLED LIQUIDS 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs. [52]U.S.Cl 62/441,

6 1 5 62/273 ABSTRACT: A portable device for cooling bottled liquids,ll.-

sugh as wine including a thermally insulated ontainer and a [50] Fieldol Search ..62/64,514, il ft bi positioned therein within whicha]iquidcom3in 373, 441, 394 ing bottle is adapted to be placed. The surface ofthe tubing facing inwardly of the coil has a plurality of perforations[56] References cued therein so that a gaseous refrigerant introducedinto the tubing UNITED STATES PATENTS will flow out of the perforationsand radially inwardly of the 1,671,531 5/1928 Kuhl 62/514coilagainstabottle disposed within the coil.

36 ll. T7/ 1 v// fififififififififi Q n h a I o 1z-\, I 17 I b 1 28 /&l0 r I g I 2 I a M a o o 0 v o .6 \-.-mm on 11 515 1 153 DEVICE FORCOOLING BOTTLE!) LIQUIDS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of theInvention This invention relates to refrigeration devices,.andspecifically to a portable device for cooling bottled liquids.

2. Description of the Prior Art Many refrigeration devices are known forcooling or chilling bottled liquids. Generally, such devices comprise athermally insulated container and a refrigeration system for loweringthe temperature within the container. One type of refrigeration systemwhich has been used in such devices includes a coil of tubing withinwhich a liquid-containing bottle is adapted to be placed and meanspositioned either internally or externally of the container for passinga refrigerant through the tubing. Another type of refrigeration systemwhich has been used in such devices includes a valved inlet throughwhich a refrigerant is simply introduced into the container.

While refrigeration systems of the foregoing types are operative for thepurpose intended, they do not provide an optimum means for cooling abottled liquid. For example, in systems which include a coil of tubingthrough which a refrigerant is passed, a rather lengthy period of timeis required to adequately cool a liquid contained in a bottle disposedwithin the coil. In systems which include a valved inlet for introducinga refrigerant directly into a container, the refrigerant is notuniformly directed against all portions of a liquid-containing bottledisposed within the container so that the liquid in the portion of thebottle adjacent the inlet may be rapidly cooled while the liquid in theother portions of the bottle remain relatively uncooled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The device of the present invention obviatesthe foregoing deficiencies by providing a refrigeration system whichcomprises an optimum means for cooling a bottled liquid. Moreover, thedevice of the invention is reliable, is economical to manufacture andoperate, and may be made in the form of an attraction and unusualfurniture piece.

Basically described, the device of the invention comprises; a thermallyinsulated container; a coil of tubing disposed within the container andadapted to axially surround a liquid-containing bottle, the tubing beingclosed at one end of the coil, the surface of the tubing facing inwardlyof the coil having a plurality of perforations therein; and a valveconnected to the tubing at the other end of the coil so that when asource of gaseous refrigerant is connected to the valve and aliquid-containing bottle is disposed within the coil, upon opening ofthe valve the refrigerant will flow through the tubing, out of theperforations and radially inwardly of the coil against the bottle tocool the liquid contained therein.

The flow of refrigerant against the bottle ensures rapid cooling, whilethe disposition of the coil about the length of the bottle ensuresuniform cooling.

Preferably, the device also includes a second container in which aplurality of drinking glasses may be accommodated, and which is in fluidflow communication with the first-mentionedcontainer so that refrigerantwill flow from the first container into the second container to chillthe glasses.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention toprovide an improved device for cooling bottled liquids;

It is-also an object of the invention to provide a device for coolingbottled liquids, which device includes a refrigeration system comprisingan optimum means for cooling such liquids.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device for coolingbottled liquids, which device includes a refrigeration system comprisinga coil of tubing having a plurality of perforations in the surfacethereof facing inwardly of the coil so that when a gaseous refrigerantis introduced into the tubing, the refrigerant will flow out of theperforations and radially inwardly of the coil against aliquid-containing bottle disposed within the coil.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a device asdescribed in the preceding object, which device includes a firstcontainer within which a bottled liquid may be cooled and a secondcontainer within which a plurality ofdrinking glasses may be chilled.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device for coolingbottled liquids, which device is reliable, is economical to manufactureand operate, and may be made in a form of a decorative and unusualfurniture piece.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent upon aconsideration of the detailed description of a preferred embodimentthereof given in connection with the following drawings, wherein likereference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an end view of the device ofthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a portion of the refrigeration system ofthe device of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of thedevice of the invention is shown in FIGS. l and 2, as designated byreference numeral l0. Device 10 includes a first container 12 withinwhich is disposed a coil M of tubing 115. Coil M is ofa size toaccommodate therein and axially surround a liquid-containing bottle,such as a wine bottle 17. Tubing I5 is closed at one end of coil M, theright end as seen in FIG. 2 (not shown), and at the other end of thecoil is connected to a valve 16, the left end as seen in FIG. 2. Valve16 conveniently includes an electromechanical actuator, such as asolenoid. The valve is mounted at one end of container 112 internally ofthe container, and is adapted to be connected to a source of gaseousrefrigerant, such as carbon dioxide. The surface of tubing 15 whichfaces inwardly of coil 14 has a plurality of perforations W therein(FIG. 3). Upon opening of valve 16, the refrigerant flows through tubing115, out of perforations 118 and radially inwardly of coil 114 againstbottle 17.

Container 12 includes a first enclosure 20 comprising a cylindricalsleeve having one end, the left end as seen in FIG. 2, closed by a plateintegral with the sleeve and the other end, the right end as seen inFIG. 2, closed by a removable cover 2 Enclosure 2t) defines an innercompartment 22 therein within which coil M is disposed. Access may beobtained to compartment 22 by removing cover 24 for placing therein andremoving therefrom bottle 117. A socket 28 is mounted on the plate whichdefines the end of compartment 22 opposite cover 24, radially centrallyof coil M, for supporting engaging the upper neck portion of bottle 1'.Socket 28 properly positions and supports bottle 117 within coil M.

Enclosure 20 is surrounded by a second enclosure 30 convenientlycomprising a decorative casltor keg-shaped member defining the exteriorof container 12. Enclosures 20 and 30 define therebetween an outercompartment 32. Outer compartment 32 is filled with a porous insulatingmaterial 34, such as glass wool. A plurality of holes 36 are formed inenclosure 20 adjacent one end thereof through which compartments 22 and32 are in fluid flow communication. Preferably, cover 2 3 closes the endof enclosure 20 which is adjacent holes an. After the refrigerant flowsout of perforations l8 and against bottle 17, it flows out of innercompartment 22, through holes as and into outer compartment 32, as shownby the arrows in FIG. 2. The refrigerant then flows through compartment32, impregnating insulating material 34. Insulating material 3% thusfunctions not only as an insulator for maintaining reduced temperaturesin inner compartment 22, but also, in conjunction with the refrigerantflowing through compartment 32, as a heat exchanger for further reducingthe temperature in the inner compartment.

Preferably, a timer 3% (FIG. 3) is connected in series with the actuatorof valve 116 to regulate the length of time the valve is open, and thuscontrol the quantity of refrigerant introduced into container 112.

Device also preferably includes a second container 40 within which aplurality of drinking glasses 42 may be accommodated. Container40conveniently comprises a drawer 44 and an enclosure 45 within whichdrawer 44 is slidably receivable. Glasses 42 may be placed into andremoved from container 40 by pulling drawer 44 outwardly from enclosure45.

Container 40 is connected to container 12 by a suitable structuralconnecting means such as blocks 46 so that device 10 comprises anintegral structural unit. Also, containers l2 and 40 are connected byfluid flow means, such as conduits 48. Specifically, conduits 48 connectouter compartment 32 and enclosure 45. The refrigerant thus flows out ofcompartment 32, through conduits 48 and into enclosure 45 to chillglasses 42. A plurality of holes 50 are formed in the bottom of drawer44 which communicate with a similar plurality of holes 52 formed in thebottom of enclosure 45 when drawer 44 is closed. The refrigerant isexhausted to atmosphere from container 40 through holes 50 and 52, asshown by the arrows in FIG. 2.

As it will be apparent from the foregoing description, the refrigerationsystem of device 10 comprises an optimum means for cooling a bottledliquid. Also, the device is reliable, is economical to manufacture andmaintain, and may be made in the form of a decorative and unusualfurniture piece. With respect to the latter feature, the exteriorsurfaces of the device may be made from ornamental wood and decorativehandles rovided for cover 24 and drawer 44, as shown in FIG. 1,Furthermore, the device is portable and readily may be moved to alocation of desired use.

While the foregoing constitutes a detailed description of a preferredembodiment of the invention, it is recognized that various modificationsthereof will occur to those skilled in the art.

lclaim:

l. A device for cooling bottled liquids comprising:

a thermally insulated container including a first enclosure defining aninner compartment therein, said first enclosure including a removablecover, a second enclosure surrounding said first enclosure and definingtherebetween an outer compartment, said first enclosure having aplurality of holes therein, said inner and outer compartments being influid flow communication through said holes;

a coil of tubing disposed within said inner compartment and adapted toaxially surround a liquid-containing bottle, said tubing being closed atone end of said coil, the surface of said tubing facing inwardly of saidcoil having a plurality of perforations therein; and

a valve connected to said tubing at the other end of said coil so thatwhen a source of gaseous refrigerant is connected to said valve and aliquid-containing bottle is disposed within the coil, upon opening ofthe valve the refrigerant will flow through the tubing, out of theperforations and radially inwardly of the coil against the bottle tocool the liquid contained therein, and then out of said innercompartment, through said holes and into said outer compartment.

2. A device as recited in claim I, further comprising porous insulatingmaterial disposed within said outer compartment.

3. A device as recited in claim 1, wherein said holes in said firstenclosure are positioned adjacent one end thereof.

4. A device as recited in claim 3, wherein said cover closes said oneend of said first enclosure.

5. A device for cooling bottled liquids comprising:

a thermally insulated container;

a coil of tubing disposed within said container and adapted to axiallysurround a liquid-containing bottle, said tubing being closed at one endof said coil, the surface of said tubing facing inwardly of said coilhaving a plurality of perforations therein;

a valve connected to said tubing at the other end of said coil so thatwhen a source of gaseous refrigerant is connected to said valve and aliquid-containing bottle is disposed within the coil, upon opening ofthe valve, the refrigerant will flow through the tubing, out of theperforations and radially inwardly of the coil against the bottle tocool the liquid contained therein;

a second container attached to said first-mentioned container andadapted to accommodate a plurality of drinking glasses therein; and

fluid flow means connecting said first and second containers so thatafter the refrigerant flows out of said perforations and against thebottle, the refrigerant will flow from said first container, throughsaid fluid flow means and into said second container to chill anyglasses disposed therein.

1. A device for cooling bottled liquids comprising: a thermallyinsulated container including a first enclosure defining an innercompartment therein, said first enclosure including a removable cover, asecond enclosure surrounding said first enclosure and definingtherebetween an outer compartment, said first enclosure having aplurality of holes therein, said inner and outer compartments being influid flow communication through said holes; a coil of tubing disposedwithin said inner compartment and adapted to axially surround aliquid-containing bottle, said tubing being closed at one end of saidcoil, the surface of said tubing facing inwardly of said coil having aplurality of perforations therein; and a valve connected to said tubingat the other end of said coil so that when a source of gaseousrefrigerant is connected to said valve and a liquid-containing bottle isdisposed within the coil, upon opening of the valve the refrigerant Willflow through the tubing, out of the perforations and radially inwardlyof the coil against the bottle to cool the liquid contained therein, andthen out of said inner compartment, through said holes and into saidouter compartment.
 2. A device as recited in claim 1, further comprisingporous insulating material disposed within said outer compartment.
 3. Adevice as recited in claim 1, wherein said holes in said first enclosureare positioned adjacent one end thereof.
 4. A device as recited in claim3, wherein said cover closes said one end of said first enclosure.
 5. Adevice for cooling bottled liquids comprising: a thermally insulatedcontainer; a coil of tubing disposed within said container and adaptedto axially surround a liquid-containing bottle, said tubing being closedat one end of said coil, the surface of said tubing facing inwardly ofsaid coil having a plurality of perforations therein; a valve connectedto said tubing at the other end of said coil so that when a source ofgaseous refrigerant is connected to said valve and a liquid-containingbottle is disposed within the coil, upon opening of the valve, therefrigerant will flow through the tubing, out of the perforations andradially inwardly of the coil against the bottle to cool the liquidcontained therein; a second container attached to said first-mentionedcontainer and adapted to accommodate a plurality of drinking glassestherein; and fluid flow means connecting said first and secondcontainers so that after the refrigerant flows out of said perforationsand against the bottle, the refrigerant will flow from said firstcontainer, through said fluid flow means and into said second containerto chill any glasses disposed therein.